Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a display functional layer, first electrodes, pixel electrodes, second electrodes, a drive circuit, and a conductive body. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The display functional layer is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first electrodes are provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pixel electrodes face the first electrodes between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second electrodes overlap the first electrodes through the display functional layer. The drive circuit supplies drive signals to a pair of the first electrode, wherein the drive circuit supplies a first electric potential to one of the pair of first electrodes and supplies a drive signal having a second electric potential different from the first electric potential to the other of the pair of first electrodes simultaneously.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/023,943, filed Sep. 17, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/922,276, filed Mar. 15, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,838,247, issued on Nov. 17, 2020, which application claims priorityfrom Japanese Application No. 2017-054896, filed on Mar. 21, 2017, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Touch detection devices capable of detecting an external proximityobject, what are called touch panels, have recently been attractingattention. Touch panels are mounted on or integrated with a displaydevice, such as a liquid crystal display device, and used as displaydevices with a touch detection function. The display device with a touchdetection function described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-openPublication No. 2014-199605 performs touch detection by code divisionmultiplex drive. Code division multiplex drive is a method for touchdetection by selecting a plurality of drive electrodes simultaneouslyand supplying drive signals having different phases to the selecteddrive electrodes.

If the potential difference between the drive electrodes increases intouch detection, the intensity of an electric field generated betweenthe drive electrodes increases. The electric field generated between thedrive electrodes may possibly change the orientation of liquid crystalmolecules included in a liquid crystal layer, thereby deteriorating adisplayed image.

SUMMARY

A display device according to one aspect includes a first substrate, asecond substrate facing the first substrate, a display functional layerprovided between the first substrate and the second substrate, aplurality of first electrodes provided between the first substrate andthe second substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes facing the firstelectrodes between the first substrate and the second substrate, aplurality of second electrodes overlapping the first electrodes throughthe display functional layer, a drive circuit configured to supply drivesignals to a pair of the first electrode, wherein the drive circuitsupplies a first electric potential to one of the pair of firstelectrodes and supplies a second electric potential different from thefirst electric potential to the other of the pair of first electrodessimultaneously, and a conductive body provided between the pair of firstelectrodes in planar view and configured to form an intermediatepotential between the first electric potential and the second electricpotential.

A display device according to one aspect includes a first substrate, asecond substrate facing the first substrate, a display functional layerprovided between the first substrate and the second substrate, aplurality of first electrodes provided between the first substrate andthe second substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes facing the firstelectrodes between the first substrate and the second substrate, and aconductive body provided between the first electrodes disposed side byside. The width of the conductive body is smaller than the width of thefirst electrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a displaydevice according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a detector;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the basic principle of mutualcapacitance touch detection;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the basic principle ofself-capacitance touch detection;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a schematic sectional structure of thedisplay device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically illustrating the relation betweenfirst electrodes, second electrodes, and third electrodes;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a pixel array in a display panelaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the first electrodes used for explanation of anexemplary operation in CDM drive;

FIG. 9 is a timing waveform chart of drive signals used for explanationof an exemplary operation in CDM drive;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of detection signals used for explanation of anexemplary operation in CDM drive;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the first electrodes and the third electrodesaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along line XII-XII′ in FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a timing waveform chart of an exemplary operation performedby the display device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a table of an exemplary operation performed by the displaydevice according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram for explaining the coupling configurationbetween the first electrodes and the third electrodes in a displayperiod;

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram for explaining the coupling configurationbetween the first electrodes and the third electrodes in a mutualcapacitance detection period;

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram for explaining the coupling configurationbetween the first electrodes and the third electrodes in aself-capacitance detection period;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the pixel array and the relation between thefirst electrodes and the third electrodes according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of pixel electrodes according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the pixel array and the relation between thefirst electrodes and the third electrodes according to a firstmodification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the pixel array and the relation between thefirst electrodes and the third electrodes according to a secondmodification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a plan view schematically illustrating the relation betweenthe first electrodes, the second electrodes, and the third electrodesaccording to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged plan view of the pixel electrodes according to afourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view along line XXIV-XXIV′ in FIG. 23 ;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged plan view of the pixel electrodes according to afifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view along line XXVI-XXVI′ in FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged plan view of the pixel electrodes according to asixth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view along line XXVIII-XXVIII′ in FIG. 27 ; and

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the display device according to a seventhembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary aspects (embodiments) to embody the present disclosure aredescribed below in greater detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The contents described in the embodiments are not intended tolimit the present disclosure. Components described below includecomponents easily conceivable by those skilled in the art and componentssubstantially identical therewith. Furthermore, the components describedbelow may be appropriately combined. What is disclosed herein is givenby way of example only, and appropriate modifications made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure and easily conceivable bythose skilled in the art naturally fall within the scope of thedisclosure. To simplify the explanation, the drawings may possiblyillustrate the width, the thickness, the shape, and other elements ofeach unit more schematically than the actual aspect. These elements,however, are given by way of example only and are not intended to limitinterpretation of the disclosure. In the present specification and thefigures, components similar to those previously described with referenceto previous figures are denoted by like reference numerals, andoverlapping explanation thereof may be appropriately omitted.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a displaydevice according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2is a block diagram of an exemplary configuration of a detector. Adisplay device 1 according to the present embodiment has a detectionfunction to detect contact and proximity of an object to be detectedwith and to a display surface. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the displaydevice 1 includes a display panel 10, a detection controller 11A, adisplay controller 11B, a gate driver 12, a source driver 13, a firstelectrode driver 14, a second electrode driver 15, and a detector 40.

The display panel 10 includes a plurality of pixels including thedisplay elements and has a display surface facing the pixels. Thedisplay panel 10 receives video signals to display an image composed ofthe pixels on the display surface.

The display controller 11B is a circuit that supplies control signals tothe gate driver 12, the source driver 13, and the first electrode driver14 based on video signals supplied from the outside to mainly control adisplay operation. The display controller 11B also supplies controlsignals to the detection controller 11A, thereby controlling the gatedriver 12, the source driver 13, and the detection controller 11A suchthat they operate synchronously or asynchronously with one another.

The gate driver 12 has a function to sequentially select one horizontalline to be a target of display drive in the display panel 10 based oncontrol signals supplied from the display controller 11B.

The source driver 13 is a circuit that supplies pixel signals Vpix torespective sub-pixels SPix of the display panel 10 based on controlsignals supplied from the display controller 11B. The display controller11B may generate the pixel signals Vpix and supply them to the sourcedriver 13.

The first electrode driver 14 is a circuit that supplies display drivesignals Vcomdc or detection drive signals Vcom to the first electrodesCOML of the display panel 10 based on control signals supplied from thedisplay controller 11B.

The detection controller 11A controls a detection operation fordetecting an object to be detected, such as a finger of a user and atouch pen (hereinafter, simply referred to as an object to be detected),in the display panel 10. The display panel 10 has a function to detectthe position of an object to be detected in contact with the displaysurface of the display panel 10 based on the basic principle of mutualcapacitance touch detection, which will be described later. If thedisplay panel 10 detects contact or proximity of an object to bedetected, the display panel 10 outputs detection signals Vdet to thedetector 40.

The display panel 10 may have a function to detect the position of anobject to be detected based on the basic principle of self-capacitancetouch detection. The first electrode driver 14 supplies drive signalsVs1 to first electrodes COML based on the control signals supplied fromthe detection controller 11A in self-capacitance touch detection. Thesecond electrode driver 15 supplies drive signals Vs2 to secondelectrodes TDL based on the control signals supplied from the detectioncontroller 11A in self-capacitance touch detection.

The detector 40 is a circuit that determines whether a touch is made byan object to be detected on the display surface of the display panel 10based on the control signals supplied from the detection controller 11Aand on the detection signals Vdet output from the display panel 10 inmutual capacitance touch detection. The detector 40 can also determinewhether a touch is made on the display panel 10 based on the controlsignals supplied from the detection controller 11A, detection signalsVdetA output from the display panel 10 via the first electrode driver14, and detection signals VdetB output from the display panel 10 via thesecond electrode driver 15 in self-capacitance touch detection. If atouch is detected, the detector 40 calculates the coordinates at whichthe touch input is made, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the detector 40 includes a detection signalamplifier 42, an analog/digital (A/D) converter 43, a signal processor44, a coordinate extractor 45, and a detection timing controller 46. Thedetection timing controller 46 performs control such that the detectionsignal amplifier 42, the A/D converter 43, the signal processor 44, andthe coordinate extractor 45 operate synchronously with one another basedon the control signals supplied from the detection controller 11A.

The detection signal amplifier 42 amplifies the detection signals Vdetsupplied from the display panel 10. The A/D converter 43 samples analogsignals output from the detection signal amplifier 42 at a timingsynchronized with the drive signals Vcom, thereby converting the analogsignals into digital signals.

The signal processor 44 is a logic circuit that determines whether atouch is made on the display panel 10 based on the output signals fromthe A/D converter 43. The signal processor 44 performs processing ofextracting a signal (absolute value |ΔV|) of the difference between thedetection signals caused by an object to be detected. The signalprocessor 44 compares the absolute value |ΔV| with a predeterminedthreshold voltage. If the absolute value |ΔV| is lower than thethreshold voltage, the signal processor 44 determines that the object tobe detected is in the non-contact state. By contrast, if the absolutevalue |ΔV| is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, the signalprocessor 44 determines that the object to be detected is in the contactstate or a proximity state. The detector 40 thus can perform touchdetection.

In the present specification, a “contact state” includes a state wherean object to be detected is in contact with the display surface or inproximity to the display surface close enough to consider it in contacttherewith. A “non-contact state” includes a state where a finger isneither in contact with the display surface nor in proximity to thedisplay surface close enough to consider it in contact therewith.

The coordinate extractor 45 is a logic circuit that calculates, when thesignal processor 44 detects a touch, the touch panel coordinates of thetouch. The coordinate extractor 45 outputs the touch panel coordinatesas output signals Vout. The coordinate extractor 45 may output theoutput signals Vout to the display controller 11B. The displaycontroller 11B can perform a predetermined display operation or apredetermined detection operation based on the output signals Vout.

The detection signal amplifier 42, the A/D converter 43, the signalprocessor 44, the coordinate extractor 45, and the detection timingcontroller 46 of the detector 40 are provided to the display device 1.The configuration is not limited thereto, and all or part of thefunctions of the detector 40 may be provided to an external processor,for example. The coordinate extractor 45, for example, may be providedto an external processor separately from the display device 1. Thedetector 40 may output the signals processed by the signal processor 44as output signals Vout.

The display panel 10 performs touch control based on the basic principleof capacitance touch detection. The following describes the basicprinciple of mutual capacitance touch detection performed by the displaypanel 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram forexplaining the basic principle of mutual capacitance touch detection.FIG. 3 also illustrates a detection circuit. While the followingdescribes a case where a finger serving as an object to be detected isin contact with or in proximity to a detection electrode, the object tobe detected is not limited to a finger and may be an object including aconductor, such as a stylus.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , for example, a capacitance element C1includes a pair of electrodes, that is, a drive electrode E1 and adetection electrode E2 facing each other with a dielectric D interposedtherebetween. The capacitance element C1 generates fringe lines ofelectric force extending from ends of the drive electrode E1 to theupper surface of the detection electrode E2 besides lines of electricforce (not illustrated) formed between the facing surfaces of the driveelectrode E1 and the detection electrode E2. A first end of thecapacitance element C1 is coupled to an alternating-current (AC) signalsource (drive signal source), and a second end thereof is coupled to avoltage detector DET. The voltage detector DET is an integration circuitincluded in the detector 40 illustrated in FIG. 1 , for example.

The AC signal source applies an AC rectangular wave Sg at apredetermined frequency (e.g., a frequency of the order of severalkilohertz to several hundred kilohertz) to the drive electrode E1 (firstend of the capacitance element C1). An electric current depending on thecapacitance value of the capacitance element C1 flows through thevoltage detector DET. The voltage detector DET converts fluctuations inthe electric current depending on the AC rectangular wave Sg intofluctuations in the voltage.

In the contact state, capacitance C2 generated by the finger is incontact with the detection electrode E2 or in proximity to the detectionelectrode E2 close enough to consider it in contact therewith asillustrated in FIG. 3 . The fringe lines of electric force between thedrive electrode E1 and the detection electrode E2 are blocked by aconductor (finger). As a result, the capacitance element C1 acts as acapacitance element having a capacitance value smaller than that in thenon-contact state.

The amplitude of the voltage signal output from the voltage detector DETin the contact state is smaller than that in the non-contact state. Theabsolute value |ΔV| of the voltage difference varies depending on aneffect of an object to be detected in contact with or in proximity tothe detection electrode. As described above, the detector 40 comparesthe absolute value |ΔV| with the predetermined threshold voltage,thereby determining whether an object to be detected is in thenon-contact state or the contact or proximity state. The detector 40thus can perform touch detection based on the basic principle of mutualcapacitance touch detection.

The following describes the basic principle of self-capacitance touchdetection performed by the display panel 10 according to the presentembodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the basic principle ofself-capacitance touch detection. FIG. 4 also illustrates a detectioncircuit.

In the non-contact state, an AC rectangular wave Sg at a predeterminedfrequency (e.g., several kilohertz to several hundred kilohertz) isapplied to a detection electrode E3. The detection electrode E3 hascapacitance C3, and an electric current depending on the capacitance C3flows. The voltage detector DET converts fluctuations in the electriccurrent depending on the AC rectangular wave Sg into fluctuations in thevoltage.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , in the contact state, capacitance C4 betweenthe finger and the detection electrode E3 is added to the capacitance C3of the detection electrode E3. In the contact state, the detectionelectrode E3 acts as a capacitance element having a capacitance valuelarger than that in the non-contact state. When the AC rectangular waveSg is applied to the detection electrode E3, an electric currentdepending on the capacitance C3 and the capacitance C4 flows. Thevoltage detector DET converts fluctuations in the electric currentdepending on the AC rectangular wave Sg into fluctuations in thevoltage. The amplitude of the voltage signal output from the voltagedetector DET in the contact state is larger than that in the non-contactstate. The detector 40 detects contact of the finger based on theabsolute value |ΔV| of the voltage difference.

The following describes an exemplary configuration of the display device1 according to the present embodiment in greater detail. FIG. 5 is asectional view of a schematic sectional structure of the display deviceaccording to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , thedisplay device 1 includes the display panel 10, a backlight unit 85, acover panel 81, a drive integrated circuit (IC) 19, a touch IC 18, andflexible substrates 71 and 72. The drive IC 19 and the touch IC 18 arecoupled on the flexible substrate 72.

The display panel 10 includes an array substrate 2, a counter substrate3, a liquid crystal layer 6 serving as a display functional layer, and apair of upper and lower polarization plates 35 and 65. The countersubstrate 3 is disposed facing the array substrate 2 in a directionperpendicular to the surface of the array substrate 2. The liquidcrystal layer 6 is provided between the array substrate 2 and thecounter substrate 3.

The array substrate 2 is provided with a plurality of gate lines GCL(refer to FIG. 7 ) and a plurality of signal lines SGL (refer to FIG. 7) intersecting the gate lines GCL. The gate lines GCL and the signallines SGL divide a display area Ad (refer to FIG. 6 ) into a matrix(row-column configuration). One divided area is referred to as a (sub-)pixel area. The pixel areas are each provided with a thin-filmtransistor (TFT) switch and a pixel electrode 22. The pixel electrodes22 are coupled to the respective TFT switches. A first substrate 21 isprovided with the first electrodes COML. The first electrode COML has awidth across a plurality of pixels and has a long side extending alongthe signal lines SGL.

The array substrate 2 has a gate driver circuit. The gate driver circuitis provided between the gate lines GCL and the drive IC 19 andsequentially supplies drive signals to the gate lines GCL based on inputof gate drive signals from the drive IC 19. The first electrode driver14 (common driver) and the source driver 13 are included in the drive IC19. A multiplexer 16 is provided between the signal lines SGL and thedrive IC 19. The multiplexer 16 changes the coupling state between thesignal lines SGL and the drive IC 19. The first electrode driver 14(common driver) may be provided to another IC different from the driveIC 19 or included in the array substrate, for example.

The pixel electrodes 22 are supplied with the pixel signals Vpix forperforming a display operation from the drive IC 19 via the multiplexer16. The first electrodes COML are supplied with the direct-current (DC)display drive signals Vcomdc via the drive IC 19 to serve as commonelectrodes for the pixel electrodes 22 in a display operation. In thepresent specification, “above” indicates a direction from a firstsubstrate 21 toward a second substrate 31 in a direction perpendicularto the first substrate 21. “Planar view” indicates a view seen in thedirection perpendicular to the surface of the first substrate 21.

The pixel electrodes 22 and the first electrodes COML according to thepresent embodiment are made of a translucent conductive material, suchas indium tin oxide (ITO).

The array of the pixel electrodes 22 is not limited to a matrix array inwhich the pixel electrodes 22 are arrayed in a first direction and asecond direction orthogonal to the first direction. Alternatively,adjacent pixel electrodes 22 may be disposed deviating in the firstdirection or the second direction. Still alternatively, adjacent pixelelectrodes 22 may have different sizes, and two or three pixelelectrodes 22 may be disposed on one side of one pixel electrode 22included in a pixel column arrayed in the first direction.

The counter substrate 3 includes the second substrate 31, a color filter32, the second electrodes TDL, and an insulating layer 38. The colorfilter 32 is provided on a first surface of the second substrate 31. Thesecond electrodes TDL are provided on a second surface of the secondsubstrate 31. An adhesive layer 39 and the polarization plate 35 areprovided on the second electrodes TDL with the insulating layer 38interposed therebetween. The second electrodes TDL serve as detectionelectrodes of the display panel 10. The color filter 32 faces the liquidcrystal layer 6 in the direction perpendicular to the first substrate21. The color filter 32 may be disposed on the first substrate 21. Thefirst substrate 21 and the second substrate 31 according to the presentembodiment are glass substrates or resin substrates, for example.

The first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31 are disposed facingeach other with a predetermined space interposed therebetween. The spacebetween the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31 is sealedwith a sealing portion 75. The liquid crystal layer 6 is providedbetween the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31. The liquidcrystal layer 6 modulates light passing therethrough depending on thestate of an electric field. The liquid crystal layer 6, for example,includes liquid crystals in a lateral electric-field mode, such as thein-plane switching (IPS) mode including the fringe field switching (FFS)mode. An orientation film (not illustrated) is provided between theliquid crystal layer 6 and the array substrate 2 and between the liquidcrystal layer 6 and the counter substrate 3 illustrated in FIG. 5 .

The backlight unit 85 is provided below the first substrate 21. Thebacklight unit 85 includes a light source, such as light emitting diodes(LED), and outputs light from the light source to the first substrate21. The light from the backlight unit 85 passes through the arraysubstrate 2. The light is modulated depending on the state of the liquidcrystals at the corresponding position, whereby the state oftransmission of light to the display surface varies depending on thepositions. As a result, an image is displayed on the display surface.

The cover panel 81 is provided above the polarization plate 35. Thecover panel 81 is a protective member that covers and protects the arraysubstrate 2 and the counter substrate 3. The cover panel 81 may be aglass substrate or a film substrate made of a resin material, forexample. The cover panel 81 has a first surface 81 a and a secondsurface 81 b opposite to the first surface 81 a. The first surface 81 aof the cover panel 81 serves as a display surface on which an image isdisplayed and a detection surface with or to which an object to bedetected is in contact or in proximity. Touch detection according to thepresent embodiment includes detection of an object to be detecteddirectly in contact with the first surface 81 a. Touch detection alsoincludes detection of an object to be detected in contact with aprotective film (not illustrated) provided to the first surface 81 a,for example. The second surface 81 b of the cover panel 81 faces thecounter substrate 3 and is bonded to the counter substrate 3 with anadhesive layer, which is not illustrated, interposed therebetween.

FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically illustrating the relation betweenthe first electrodes, the second electrodes, and third electrodes. Asillustrated in FIG. 6 , the display device 1 has a frame-shaped framearea Gd on the outer side of the rectangular display area Ad. In thepresent specification, the display area Ad is an area for displaying animage and overlapped with a plurality of pixels Pix (sub-pixels SPix).As illustrated in FIG. 6 , a first direction Dx according to the presentembodiment indicates the direction along the long side of the displayarea Ad, and a second direction Dy indicates the direction intersectingthe first direction Dx.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the first electrodes COML and thirdelectrodes COMLd are provided in the display area Ad of the firstsubstrate 21. The first electrodes COML have long sides extending in thesecond direction Dy and are arrayed in the first direction Dx. The thirdelectrodes COMLd have long sides extending in the second direction Dyand are arrayed in the first direction Dx. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6 , the first electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd arealternately disposed with a space interposed therebetween. Both of thefirst electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd have a strip shape.The width of the third electrodes COMLd is smaller than that of thefirst electrodes COML.

The second electrodes TDL are provided in the display area Ad of thesecond substrate 31. The second electrodes TDL extend in the firstdirection Dx and are arrayed in the second direction Dy. In other words,the second electrodes TDL intersect the first electrodes COML in planarview. Capacitance is formed at the intersections or peripheral portionsof the first electrodes COML and the second electrodes TDL. Similarly tothe first electrodes COML, the second electrodes TDL are made of atranslucent conductive material, such as ITO. The second electrodes TDLmay be made of a metal material including at least one of aluminum (Al),copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), and an alloy of these metals.In this case, the second electrodes TDL include a plurality of metalthin wires with a width of several micrometers to ten-odd micrometershaving a zigzag line shape, a wavy line shape, or a mesh shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the flexible substrate 72 is coupledto the frame area Gd of the first substrate 21. The flexible substrate71 is coupled to the frame area Gd of the second substrate 31. Theflexible substrate 71 is electrically coupled to the flexible substrate72 via a coupler 71 a. The flexible substrate 71 is provided with thetouch IC 18 that controls a detection operation performed by the displaypanel 10. The frame area Gd of the first substrate 21 is provided withthe drive IC 19 that controls a display operation performed by thedisplay panel 10.

Various kinds of circuits, such as the source driver 13 and the firstelectrode driver 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 , are provided to the drive IC19. The multiplexer 16 is provided between the drive IC 19 and thedisplay area Ad. The gate drivers 12 are disposed along a pair of shortsides of the display area Ad. The gate driver 12 may be disposed on onlyone of the short sides of the display area Ad.

With this configuration, to perform mutual capacitance touch detection,the first electrode driver 14 sequentially scans the first electrodesCOML and supplies the drive signals Vcom thereto in a time-divisionmanner. In this case, the first electrode driver 14 may simultaneouslyselect a drive electrode block Bkn including a plurality of firstelectrodes COML and sequentially supply the drive signals Vcom to eachdrive electrode block Bkn. The second electrodes TDL output thedetection signals Vdet corresponding to the changes in capacitancebetween the first electrodes COML and the second electrodes TDL. Thedisplay device 1 thus detects a touch made by an object to be detected.In other words, the first electrodes COML correspond to the driveelectrode E1 in the basic principle of mutual capacitance touchdetection described above, and the second electrodes TDL correspond tothe detection electrode E2.

The following describes a display operation performed by the displaypanel 10. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a pixel array in the displaypanel according to the first embodiment. The first substrate 21 (referto FIG. 5 ) is provided with switching elements Tr of the respectivesub-pixels SPix, and wiring such as the signal lines SGL and the gatelines GCL as illustrated in FIG. 7 . The data lines SGL are wiring thatsupplies the pixel signals Vpix to the pixel electrodes 22. The gatelines GCL are wiring that supplies drive signals for driving theswitching elements Tr. The signal lines SGL and the gate lines GCLextend on a plane parallel to the surface of the first substrate 21.

The display panel 10 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a plurality ofsub-pixels SPix arrayed in a matrix (row-column configuration). Thesub-pixels SPix each include the switching element Tr and a liquidcrystal element 6 a. The switching element Tr is a thin-film transistorand is an n-channel metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) TFT in this example.An insulating layer 24 is provided between the pixel electrodes 22 andthe common electrodes (first electrodes COML) to form holdingcapacitance 6 b illustrated in FIG. 7 .

The gate driver 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 sequentially selects the gateline GCL. The gate driver 12 applies scanning signals Vscan to the gatesof the switching elements Tr of the respective sub-pixels SPix via theselected gate line GCL. As a result, one row (one horizontal line) outof the sub-pixels SPix is sequentially selected as a target of displaydrive. The source driver 13 supplies the pixel signals Vpix to thesub-pixels SPix included in the selected horizontal line via the signallines SGL. The sub-pixels SPix perform display on each horizontal linebased on the supplied pixel signals Vpix.

To perform the display operation, the first electrode driver 14 appliesthe display drive signals Vcomdc to the first electrodes COML. As aresult, the first electrodes COML serve as common electrodes for thepixel electrodes 22 in the display operation. The first electrodes COMLaccording to the present embodiment extend along the signal lines SGLand intersect with the gate lines GCL. The configuration is not limitedthereto, and the first electrodes COML may intersect the signal linesSGL, for example.

Wiring extending from the first electrodes COML can be led toward theflexible substrate 72 on the frame area Gd because the first electrodesCOML extend along the signal lines SGL (refer to FIG. 6 ). With thisconfiguration, the first electrode driver 14 need not be provided at aposition on the short side of the frame area Gd along the firstelectrodes COML unlike the configuration in which the first electrodesCOML intersect the signal lines SGL. Consequently, this configurationcan make the frame area Gd narrower.

The color filter 32 illustrated in FIG. 5 may include periodicallyarrayed color areas in three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B),for example. The color areas 32R, 32G, and 32B of the three colors of R,G, and B, respectively, serve as a set and correspond to the respectivesub-pixels SPix illustrated in FIG. 7 . A set of sub-pixels SPixcorresponding to the respective color areas 32R, 32G, and 32B of thethree colors constitutes a pixel Pix. The color filter 32 may includecolor areas of four or more colors.

Code Division Multiplex Drive

The following describes touch detection by code division multiplex (CDM)drive (hereinafter, referred to as CDM drive) as an example of adetection operation according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is adiagram of the first electrodes used for explanation of an exemplaryoperation in CDM drive. FIG. 9 is a timing waveform chart of drivesignals used for explanation of an exemplary operation in CDM drive.FIG. 10 is a diagram of detection signals used for explanation of anexemplary operation in CDM drive.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the first electrode driver 14 selects thedrive electrode block Bkn out of a plurality of first electrodes COML.The drive electrode block Bkn includes four first electrodes COML1,COML2, COML3, and COML4. In the following description, the firstelectrodes COML1, COML2, COML3, and COML4 are referred to as the firstelectrodes COML when they need not be distinguished from one another.The first electrodes COML not included in the drive electrode block Bknare included in a non-selected block NTX. The non-selected block NTXincludes the first electrodes COML not selected by the first electrodedriver 14. The first electrode driver 14 sequentially selects the driveelectrode block Bkn of every four first electrodes COML in the firstdirection Dx. To simplify the explanation, the third electrodes COMLdare not illustrated in FIG. 8 . The drive electrode block Bkn mayinclude five or more first electrodes COML. Alternatively, the firstelectrode driver 14 may simultaneously select all the first electrodesCOML in the display area Ad.

The first electrode driver 14 supplies the detection drive signals Vcomhaving a phase determined based on a predetermined code to the fourfirst electrodes COML1, COML2, COML3, and COML4. The predetermined codeis defined by the square matrix in Expression (1) described below, forexample.

The order of the square matrix is four corresponding to the number ofthe first electrodes COML1, COML2, COML3, and COML4 included in thedrive electrode block Bkn. Diagonal elements “−1” of the square matrixin Expression (1) are different from elements “1” other than thediagonal elements in the square matrix. The code “−1” is a code forsupplying the drive signals Vcom determined to have a phase differentfrom that of the code “1”. The drive signal corresponding to the code“1” is referred to as a drive signal Vcom(+), and the drive signalcorresponding to the code “−1” is referred to as a drive signal Vcom(−).

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the drive signal Vcom(+) has the oppositephase to that of the drive signal Vcom(−). The drive signal Vcom(+) isan AC voltage signal in which a high level voltage V_(H) and a low levelvoltage V_(L) alternately appear. The drive signal Vcom(−) issynchronized with the drive signal Vcom(+) and has the same amplitude asthat of the drive signal Vcom(+) but has a phase shifted by π.

The first electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) or thedrive signal Vcom(−) corresponding to the first row of the square matrixin Expression (1) to the first electrodes COML in a first period Pt1.Specifically, the first electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signalVcom(−) corresponding to the code “−1” to the first electrode COML1. Thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+)corresponding to the code “1” to the first electrodes COML2, COML3, andCOML4.

The first electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) or thedrive signal Vcom(−) corresponding to the second row of the squarematrix in Expression (1) to the first electrodes COML in a second periodPt2. Specifically, the first electrode driver 14 supplies the drivesignal Vcom(−) corresponding to the code “−1” to the first electrodeCOML2. The first electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+)corresponding to the code “1” to the first electrodes COML1, COML3, andCOML4.

Similarly, the first electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signalVcom(+) or the drive signal Vcom(−) corresponding to the third row ofthe square matrix in Expression (1) to the first electrodes COML in athird period Pt3. The first electrode driver 14 supplies the drivesignal Vcom(+) or the drive signal Vcom(−) corresponding to the fourthrow of the square matrix in Expression (1) to the first electrodes COMLin a fourth period Pt4.

FIG. 10 illustrates the detection signals Vdet output when an object tobe detected CQ (refer to FIG. 8 ) is in contact with the first electrodeCOML2. FIG. 10 illustrates the detection signals Vdet on the assumptionthat the voltage of difference between the detection signal Vdet in thenon-contact state and that in the contact state is 20%. To simplify theexplanation, FIG. 10 illustrates the detection signals Vdetcorresponding to the respective first electrodes COML1, COML2, COML3,and COML4. In the actual configuration, however, the second electrodeTDL intersecting the first electrodes COML1, COML2, COML3, and COML4outputs a signal obtained by totaling the detection signals Vdet as thedetection signal Vdet.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the first electrode COML1 is supplied withthe drive signal Vcom(−) corresponding to the code “−1” in the firstperiod Pt1. As a result, the phase of the detection signal Vdet of thefirst electrode COML1 is opposite to that of the other first electrodesCOML2, COML3, and COML4. Consequently, the detection signal Vdet in thefirst period Pt1 is expressed by: (−1)+(0.8)+(1)+(1)=1.8. The value“1.8” indicates signal intensity that is based on the signal intensityof the drive signal Vcom(+) corresponding to the code “1”.

Similarly, the detection signal Vdet in the second period Pt2 isexpressed by: (1)+(−0.8)+(1)+(1)=2.2. The detection signal Vdet in thethird period Pt3 is expressed by: (1)+(0.8)+(−1)+(1)=1.8. The detectionsignal Vdet in the fourth period Pt4 is expressed by:(1)+(0.8)+(1)+(−1)=1.8.

The coordinate extractor 45 performs decoding by multiplying thedetection signals Vdet detected by the signal processor 44 by the squarematrix in Expression (1). As a result, “4.0” is derived as a detectionsignal VdetD resulting from decoding corresponding to the firstelectrode COML1, “3.2” is derived as a detection signal VdetD resultingfrom decoding corresponding to the first electrode COML2, “4.0” isderived as a detection signal VdetD resulting from decodingcorresponding to the first electrode COML3, and “4.0” is derived as adetection signal VdetD resulting from decoding corresponding to thefirst electrode COML4. The coordinate extractor 45 outputs the touchpanel coordinates as the output signal Vout based on the detectionsignals VdetD resulting from decoding.

$\begin{matrix}{{\begin{pmatrix}{- 1} & 1 & 1 & 1 \\1 & {- 1} & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & 1 \\1 & 1 & 1 & {- 1}\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}1.8 \\2.2 \\1.8 \\1.8\end{pmatrix}} = \begin{pmatrix}4.0 \\{3.2} \\{4.0} \\{4.0}\end{pmatrix}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

As described above, the voltage of difference between the detectionsignal Vdet in the contact state and that in the non-contact stateincreases from 0.2 (=1.0−0.8) to 0.8 (=4.0−3.2). Consequently, thedetection sensitivity increases by four times. If a noise signal fromthe outside is detected, the magnitude of the noise signal resultingfrom decoding increases by the half power with respect to the detectionsignal Vdet. In other words, the magnitude of the noise signal resultingfrom decoding is twice (=√4) the magnitude prior to decoding in theexample described above. As described above, the noise signal resultingfrom decoding is reduced compared with the detection signal Vdet,thereby increasing the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. By performing CDMdrive, the display device 1 can detect the object to be detected CQ withdetection sensitivity higher than that in a case where it performstime-division multiplex drive without raising the voltage of the drivesignals Vcom.

The square matrix in Expression (1) is given by way of example only andmay be another square matrix. The square matrix may be a square matrix Mrepresented by Expression (2) described below, for example. These squarematrices can be generated by a spread code, such as pseudorandom noise(PN) sequences. While one drive electrode block BKn includes four firstelectrodes COML in FIGS. 8 to 10 to simplify the explanation, theconfiguration is not limited thereto. If one drive electrode block BKnincludes n first electrodes COML, for example, the order of the squarematrix is n. The number of combinations of the first electrodes COMLsupplied with the drive signal Vcom(+) and those supplied with the drivesignal Vcom(−) is n, which is equal to the order of the square matrix.The display device 1 can perform CDM drive based on the n combinations.

$\begin{matrix}{M = \begin{pmatrix}1 & 1 & 1 & 1 \\1 & 1 & {- 1} & {- 1} \\1 & {- 1} & 1 & {- 1} \\1 & {- 1} & {- 1} & 1\end{pmatrix}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

In CDM drive, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , adjacent first electrodes COMLare supplied with the drive signal Vcom(+) and the drive signal Vcom(−)having different phases. As a result, the potential difference betweenthe first electrodes COML increases. The potential difference maypossibly become large enough to change the orientation direction of theliquid crystal molecules present between the first electrodes COML. Inthis case, a displayed image may possibly deteriorate in touchdetection.

To address this, the present embodiment includes the third electrodesCOMLd between the first electrodes COML1, COML2, COML3, and COML4arrayed in the first direction Dx.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the first electrodes and the third electrodesaccording to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sectional view alongline XII-XII′ in FIG. 11 . As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the thirdelectrodes COMLd are provided to the same layer as that of the firstelectrodes COML. Specifically, the signal lines SGL are provided on thefirst substrate 21 with an insulating layer 58 interposed therebetween.The first electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd are provided onthe signal lines SGL with an insulating layer 59 interposedtherebetween. The pixel electrodes 22 are provided on the firstelectrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd with the insulating layer24 interposed therebetween. In other words, the third electrodes COMLdare disposed between the signal lines SGL and the pixel electrodes 22 inthe thickness direction of the first substrate 21.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the third electrode COMLd isprovided under one pixel Pix including three sub-pixels SPix.Specifically, the width of the third electrode COMLd is substantiallyequal to that of one pixel Pix. In other words, the third electrodeCOMLd is provided under the three color areas 32R, 32G, and 32B of thecolor filter 32. By contrast, the first electrode COML has a widthsubstantially equal to that of several ten to several hundred pixelelectrodes 22. The signal line SGL is disposed between the thirdelectrode COMLd and the first electrode COML adjacent to each other. Thethird electrodes COMLd according to the present embodiment are made ofthe same material as that of the first electrodes COML, that is, atranslucent conductive material, such as ITO.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , light-shielding layers 37 are provided atthe borders between the color filters 32 corresponding to the respectivesub-pixels SPix. The light-shielding layers 37 are colored resin layersor metal layers called a black matrix. The light-shielding layers 37 areprovided at positions overlapping the respective signal lines SGL.

In touch detection by the CDM drive described above, the thirdelectrodes COMLd are supplied with no drive signal Vcom and brought intoa floating state where their electric potential is not fixed. When oneof the first electrodes COML adjacent to each other across the thirdelectrode COMLd is supplied with the drive signal Vcom(+), and the otherthereof is supplied with the drive signal Vcom(−) having a phasedifferent from that of the drive signal Vcom(+), the electric potentialof the third electrode COMLd is an intermediate potential between thedrive signal Vcom(+) and the drive signal Vcom(−).

In a case where the drive signal Vcom(+) and the drive signal Vcom(−)are voltage signals in which the high level voltage V_(H) and the lowlevel voltage V_(L) alternately appear as described above, for example,the electric potential of the third electrode COMLd is expressed by(V_(H)+V_(L))/2. Consequently, the potential difference between thefirst electrode COML and the third electrode COMLd is expressed by(V_(H)−V_(L)/2.

With the third electrodes COMLd driven as described above, the spacebetween the first electrodes COML supplied with the signals havingopposite phases is widened in CDM drive. The third electrodes COMLdhaving the intermediate potential are provided between the firstelectrodes COML. Electric fields are generated between one of the firstelectrodes COML and the third electrode COMLd and between the otherthereof and the third electrode COMLd. Because the third electrode COMLdhas the intermediate potential, the electric fields are smaller thanelectric fields generated in a case where the first electrodes COML areprovided adjacent to each other. Consequently, the electric fields donot become large enough to drive the liquid crystal molecules. Thisconfiguration substantially reduces the gradient of potential differencebetween the first electrodes COML. Consequently, this configurationsuppresses disturbance in the orientation of the liquid crystalmolecules caused by CDM drive performed on the first electrodes COML. Asa result, the display device 1 according to the present embodiment canincrease the accuracy in touch detection by CDM drive and suppressdeterioration in a displayed image caused by the CDM drive. As describedabove, the third electrodes COMLd serve as a conductive body thatreduces the gradient of potential difference between the firstelectrodes COML.

The following describes an example of an operation performed by thedisplay device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is atiming waveform chart of an exemplary operation performed by the displaydevice according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a table of anexemplary operation performed by the display device according to thefirst embodiment.

The display device 1 performs a touch detection operation (detectionperiod) and a display operation (display period) in a time-divisionmanner. The display device 1 may perform the touch detection operationand the display operation in any division manner. The followingdescribes a case where the display device 1 performs touch detection anddisplay in a time-division manner in one frame period of the displaypanel 10, that is, in a time required to display video information ofone screen, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , a plurality of display periods Pd and aplurality of detection periods Ptm(m−1), Ptm(m), Pts1, and Pts2 arealternately arranged. The detection periods Ptm(m−1), Ptm(m), Pts1, andPts2 are hereinafter referred to as the detection periods Pt when theyneed not be distinguished from one another.

In the detection periods Ptm(m−1) and Ptm(m), the display device 1detects the object to be detected CQ by CDM drive based on the basicprinciple of mutual capacitance touch detection described above. In thedetection periods Pts1 and Pts2, the display device 1 detects the objectto be detected CQ based on the basic principle of self-capacitance touchdetection described above. FIG. 13 illustrates two detection periodsPtm(m−1) and Ptm(m), and FIG. 14 illustrates four detection periodsPtm(1) to Ptm(4). The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and oneframe period may have four or more detection periods Ptm(m),specifically, ten or more detection periods Ptm(m), for example. FIG. 13illustrates a first electrode COML(n) and a first electrode COML(n+1)supplied with drive signals having opposite phases out of the firstelectrodes COML. FIG. 14 illustrates first electrodes COML1 to COML8.The configuration is not limited thereto, and nine or more firstelectrodes COML may be provided.

In the display periods Pd, the display device 1 performs the displayoperation described above. The first electrodes COML(n) and COML(n+1)and the third electrodes COMLd according to the present embodiment alsoserve as common electrodes of the display panel 10. As illustrated inFIG. 14 , in the display periods Pd, the first electrode driver 14supplies the display drive signals Vcomdc serving as a common potentialfor display drive to all the first electrodes COML1 to COML8 and thethird electrodes COMLd in the display area Ad. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the second electrodes TDL are brought into a floating state.

In the detection periods Ptm(m−1) and Ptm(m), the first electrode driver14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) and the drive signal Vcom(−) havingdifferent phases to the first electrodes COML(n) and COML(n+1) based ona predetermined code. The second electrodes TDL output the detectionsignals Vdet to the detector 40 based on the basic principle of mutualcapacitance touch detection. The third electrodes COMLd are in afloating state.

The signal lines SGL are supplied with no voltage signal and are in afloating state where their electric potential is not fixed. The electricpotential of the signal lines SGL changes with the same electricpotential as that of the first electrodes COML overlapping the signallines SGL. This mechanism can reduce stray capacitance between the firstelectrodes COML and the signal lines SGL.

More specifically, in the detection periods Ptm(1) to Ptm(4) illustratedin FIG. 14 , the display device 1 performs CDM drive based on the squarematrix M represented by Expression (2) described above. The drive in thedetection period Ptm(1) is performed as follows. The first electrodedriver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) to the first electrodesCOML1 to COML4 corresponding to the code “1” based on the codes in thefirst row of the square matrix M. No drive signal Vcom(−) is suppliedbecause no code “−1” is present in the first row of the square matrix M.In the detection period Ptm(1), all the third electrodes COMLd arebrought into a floating state.

The drive in the detection period Ptm(2) is performed as follows. Thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) to the firstelectrodes COML1 and COML2 corresponding to the code “1” based on thecodes in the second row of the square matrix M. In the same period, thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(−) to the firstelectrodes COML3 and COML4 corresponding to the code “−1” in the secondrow of the square matrix M. In the detection period Ptm(2), all thethird electrodes COMLd are brought into a floating state.

The drive in the detection period Ptm(3) is performed as follows. Thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) to the firstelectrodes COML1 and COML3 corresponding to the code “1” based on thecodes in the third row of the square matrix M. In the same period, thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(−) to the firstelectrodes COML2 and COML4 corresponding to the code “−1” in the thirdrow of the square matrix M. In the detection period Ptm(3), all thethird electrodes COMLd are brought into a floating state.

The drive in the detection period Ptm(4) is performed as follows. Thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) to the firstelectrodes COML1 and COML4 corresponding to the code “1” based on thecodes in the fourth row of the square matrix M. In the same period, thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(−) to the firstelectrodes COML2 and COML3 corresponding to the code “−1” in the fourthrow of the square matrix M. In the detection period Ptm(4), all thethird electrodes COMLd are brought into a floating state.

The detector 40 decodes the detection signals Vdet detected in thedetection periods Ptm(1) to Ptm(4). Consequently, the display device 1can detect the object to be detected CQ with detection sensitivityhigher than that in a case where it performs time-division multiplexdrive.

The first electrodes COML5 to COML8 are included in the non-selectedblock NTX and supplied with the display drive signal Vcomdc as the DCvoltage signal. All the third electrodes COMLd are brought into afloating state. In the next detection period Ptm(5) to the detectionperiod Ptm(8), which are not illustrated, the first electrodes COML5 toCOML8 are selected as the drive electrode block BKn. The first electrodedriver 14 supplies the drive signal Vcom(+) or the drive signal Vcom(−)to the first electrodes COML5 to COML8 based on the square matrix M. Bycontrast, the first electrodes COML1 to COML4 are included in thenon-selected block NTX and supplied with the display drive signal Vcomdcas the DC voltage signal.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 , in the detection period Pts1, thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signals Vs1 to all thefirst electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd. The firstelectrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd output the detectionsignals VdetA corresponding to the capacitance changes to the detector40 via the first electrode driver 14.

The first electrodes COML according to the present embodiment serve notonly as drive electrodes in mutual and self-capacitance touch detectionby CDM drive but also as detection electrodes in self-capacitance touchdetection. The third electrodes COMLd serve not only as a conductivebody that reduces the gradient of potential difference between the firstelectrodes COML but also as detection electrodes in self-capacitancetouch detection.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , in the detection period Pts1, the signallines SGL and the gate lines GCL are supplied with no voltage signal andare in a floating state where their electric potential is not fixed.This mechanism suppresses capacitive coupling between the firstelectrodes COML and the signal lines SGL and between the thirdelectrodes COMLd and the signal lines SGL. This mechanism alsosuppresses capacitive coupling between the first electrodes COML and thegate lines GCL and between the third electrodes COMLd and the gate linesGCL. As a result, stray capacitance is reduced, thereby suppressingreduction in the detection sensitivity in touch detection.

In the detection period Pts1, the second electrode driver 15 suppliesguard signals Vg1 to the second electrodes TDL. The guard signal Vg1 isan AC voltage signal synchronized with the drive signal Vs1 and havingthe same electric potential as that of the drive signal Vs1, forexample. As a result, the second electrodes TDL are driven at the sameelectric potential as that of the first electrodes COML and the thirdelectrodes COMLd. This mechanism suppresses stray capacitance betweenthe first electrodes COML and the second electrodes TDL and between thethird electrodes COMLd and the second electrodes TDL. In the detectionperiod Pts1, the second electrodes TDL serve as guard electrodes.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , in the detection period Pts2, the secondelectrode driver 15 supplies the drive signals Vs2 to all the secondelectrodes TDL. The second electrodes TDL output the detection signalsVdetB corresponding to the capacitance changes to the detector 40 viathe second electrode driver 15. The second electrodes TDL according tothe present embodiment serve not only as detection electrodes in mutualand self-capacitance touch detection but also as detection electrodes inself-capacitance touch detection.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 , in the detection period Pts2, thesignal lines SGL and the gate lines GCL are supplied with no voltagesignal and are in a floating state where their electric potential is notfixed. This mechanism suppresses capacitive coupling between the secondelectrodes TDL and the signal lines SGL, thereby reducing straycapacitance. This mechanism also suppresses capacitive coupling betweenthe second electrodes TDL and the gate lines GCL, thereby reducing straycapacitance. Consequently, the display device 1 can suppress reductionin the detection sensitivity in touch detection.

In the detection period Pts2, the first electrode driver 14 suppliesguard signals Vg2 to the first electrodes COML and the third electrodesCOMLd. The guard signal Vg2 is an AC voltage signal synchronized withthe drive signal Vs2 and having the same electric potential as that ofthe drive signal Vs2, for example. As a result, the first electrodesCOML and the third electrodes COMLd are driven at the same electricpotential as that of the second electrodes TDL. This mechanismsuppresses stray capacitance between the second electrodes TDL and thefirst electrodes COML and between the second electrodes TDL and thethird electrodes COMLd.

As described above, the first electrodes COML serve not only as driveelectrodes in mutual capacitance touch detection by CDM drive but alsoas guard electrodes in the detection period Pts2. The third electrodesCOMLd serve not only as a conductive body that reduces the gradient ofpotential difference between the first electrodes COML but also as guardelectrodes in the detection period Pts2.

The detector 40 can detect the position of the object to be detected CQin the first direction Dx (refer to FIG. 6 ) based on the detectionsignals VdetA received in the detection period Pts1. The detector 40 candetect the position of the object to be detected CQ in the seconddirection Dy based on the detection signals VdetB received in thedetection period Pts2. The detector 40 thus can determine whether touchinput is made on the display area Ad and calculate the coordinates ofthe input position. As described above, the display device 1 can performself-capacitance touch detection.

In the detection periods Ptm for performing mutual capacitance touchdetection, the center positions of the first electrodes COML in thefirst direction Dx correspond to the positions indicated by center linesCx1, Cx2, Cx3, and Cx4 as illustrated in FIG. 11 . In other words, thedetector 40 calculates the coordinates of the input position in thedetection periods Ptm based on the center lines Cx1, Cx2, Cx3, and Cx4.

By contrast, in the detection period Pts1 for performingself-capacitance touch detection, the third electrodes COMLd also serveas detection electrodes beside the first electrodes COML. In this case,if the detector 40 calculates the input position in the first directionDx on each third electrode COMLd, the amount of arithmetic processingperformed by the detector 40 increases. Furthermore, the arithmeticprocessing may possibly be complicated because the reference positionfor the coordinates of the input position differs between mutualcapacitance touch detection and self-capacitance touch detection.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 , in self-capacitance touch detection, onefirst electrode COML (e.g., the first electrode COML2) and two thirdelectrodes COMLd adjacent to the first electrode COML are preferablycollectively driven as a drive electrode block BKa. The drive electrodeblock BKa includes a first electrode COML, a third electrode COMLdfacing one side of the first electrode COML in the first direction Dx,and a third electrode COMLd facing the other side of the first electrodeCOML in the first direction Dx. With this configuration, the centerposition of the first electrode COML2 in the first direction Dxcorresponds to the center line Cx2. The center position of the driveelectrode block BKa including the first electrode COML2 in the firstdirection Dx also corresponds to the center line Cx2. In other words,the reference position for the coordinates of the input position doesnot differ between mutual capacitance touch detection andself-capacitance touch detection. Consequently, the display device 1 canaccurately perform touch detection.

The following describes the coupling configuration for supplying variouskinds of signals to the first electrodes COML and the third electrodesCOMLd. FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram for explaining the couplingconfiguration between the first electrodes and the third electrodes inthe display period. FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram for explaining thecoupling configuration between the first electrodes and the thirdelectrodes in the mutual capacitance detection period. FIG. 17 is acircuit diagram for explaining the coupling configuration between thefirst electrodes and the third electrodes in the self-capacitancedetection period.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17 , the display drive signal Vcomdc issupplied to the first electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd viaa wire L1. The high level voltage V_(H) of the detection drive signalVcom is supplied to the first electrodes COML and the third electrodesCOMLd via a wire L2. The low level voltage V_(L) of the detection drivesignal Vcom is supplied to the first electrodes COML and the thirdelectrodes COMLd via a wire L3. A wire L4 couples the first electrodeCOML to the touch IC 18. A wire L5 couples the third electrode COMLd tothe touch IC 18.

A switch S1 is provided between the wire L1 and the first electrodeCOML. A switch S2 is provided between the wire L1 and the thirdelectrode COMLd. A high level voltage VGH of the scanning signal Vscanis supplied to the gate line GCL via a switch S3. A low level voltageVGL of the scanning signal Vscan is supplied to the gate line GCL via aswitch S4. The pixel signal Vpix is supplied to the signal line SGL viaa switch S5.

A switch S6 is provided between the signal line SGL and the firstelectrode COML. A switch S6 a is provided between the signal line SGLand the third electrode COMLd. A switch S7 is provided between the wireL1 and the wire L4 (first electrode COML). A switch S7 a is providedbetween the wire L1 and the wire L5 (third electrode COMLd). A switch S8is provided between the wire L2 and the wire L4 (first electrode COML).A switch S8 a is provided between the wire L2 and the wire L5 (thirdelectrode COMLd). A switch S9 is provided between the wire L3 and thewire L4 (first electrode COML). A switch S9 a is provided between thewire L3 and the wire L5 (third electrode COMLd). A switch S10 isprovided to the wire L4 between the first electrode COML and the touchIC 18. A switch S11 and a switch S12 are each provided between the wireL4 (first electrode COML) and the wire L5 (third electrode COMLd). Inother words, the switches S11 and S12 can each switch between couplingand cutoff of the first electrode COML to and from the third electrodeCOMLd.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the switches S1 and the switches S2 areturned on in the display period Pd. As a result, the first electrodesCOML are coupled to the wire L1, and the third electrodes COMLd arecoupled to the wire L1. The display drive signals Vcomdc are supplied tothe first electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd via the wireL1. The switches S7 and the switches S7 a are turned on. As a result,the wire L1 is coupled to the first electrodes COML and the thirdelectrodes COMLd. The display drive signals Vcomdc are supplied to thefirst electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd via the wire L1. Asdescribed above, in the example illustrated in FIG. 15 , the displaydrive signals Vcomdc are supplied to the first electrodes COML from bothends. The display drive signals Vcomdc are also supplied to the thirdelectrodes COMLd from both ends.

The switches S3 and the switches S4 coupled to the gate lines GCLperform opposite operations. When the switches S3 are turned on, theswitches S4 are turned off. When the switches S3 are turned off, theswitches S4 are turned on. The switch S3 is sequentially turned on,whereby the high level voltage VGH of the scanning signal Vscan issupplied to the selected gate line GCL. The non-selected gate lines GCLare supplied with the low level voltage VGL. The switches S5 are turnedon, whereby the pixel signals Vpix are supplied to the signal lines SGL.

In the display period Pd, the switches S6 are turned off, whereby thesignal lines SGL are cut off from the respective first electrodes COML.The switches S6 a are turned off, whereby the signal lines SGL are cutoff from the respective third electrodes COMLd. All the switches S8, S8a, S9, S9 a, S10, S11, and S12 are turned off. As a result, the firstelectrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd are cut off from the wireL2, the wire L3, and the touch IC 18. With this coupling configuration,neither the detection drive signal Vcom nor the detection drive signalVs1 is supplied to the first electrodes COML and the third electrodesCOMLd in the display period Pd.

As illustrated in FIG. 16 , the switches S1 and the switches S2 areturned off in the mutual capacitance detection period Ptm. The switchesS7 and the switches S7 a are turned off. The first electrodes COML arecut off from the wire L1, and the third electrodes COMLd are also cutoff from the wire L1. As a result, no display drive signal Vcomdc issupplied to the first electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd.

In the detection period Ptm, all the switches S3 are turned off, and allthe switches S4 are turned on. As a result, the low level voltage VGL issupplied to the gate lines GCL as the DC voltage signal. All theswitches S5 are turned off, whereby no pixel signal Vpix is supplied tothe signal lines SGL.

The switches S6 are turned on, whereby the signal lines SGL are coupledto the respective first electrodes COML via the wires L4. The switchesS6 a are also turned on, whereby the signal lines SGL are coupled to therespective third electrodes COMLd via the wires L5. As a result, thesame signals as those supplied to the first electrodes COML are suppliedto the signal lines SGL as guard signals. In the detection period Ptm,the switches S6 and the switches S6 a may be turned off. In this case,the signal lines SGL are supplied with no voltage signal and broughtinto a floating state where their electric potential is not fixed.

In the detection period Ptm, the switch S8 and the switch S9 coupled toone wire L4 perform opposite operations. When the switch S8 is turnedon, the switch S9 is turned off. When the switch S8 is turned off, theswitch S9 is turned on. The switches S8 and S9 are turned on and offrepeatedly, whereby the high level voltage V_(H) and the low levelvoltage V_(L) are alternately supplied to the first electrode COML viathe wire L4. As a result, the detection drive signal Vcom is supplied tothe first electrode COML.

Because the present embodiment performs CDM drive, the switches S8 andS9 operate at different timings for each first electrode COML. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 16 , the switch S8 coupled to the firstelectrode COML1 is turned off, and the switch S9 coupled thereto isturned on, for example. At the same timing, the switch S8 coupled to thefirst electrode COML2 is turned on, and the switch S9 coupled thereto isturned off. The switch S8 coupled to the first electrode COML3 is turnedoff, and the switch S9 coupled thereto is turned on. The switch S8coupled to the first electrode COML4 is turned on, and the switch S9coupled thereto is turned off.

As described above, the switches S8 and S9 perform opposite operationson each first electrode COML, thereby supplying the drive signal Vcom(+)and the drive signal Vcom(−) having a phase different from that of thedrive signal Vcom(+) alternately to the first electrode COML. All theswitches S10 are turned off, whereby the first electrodes COML are cutoff from the touch IC 18. In the detection period Ptm, the secondelectrodes TDL (not illustrated) are coupled to the touch IC 18. Thesecond electrodes TDL output the detection signals Vdet corresponding tothe changes in capacitance between the first electrodes COML and thesecond electrodes TDL to the touch IC 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 16 , all the switches S7 a, S8 a, and S9 acoupled to the wires L5 are turned off. As a result, the thirdelectrodes COMLd are cut off from the wires L1, L2, and L3. The switchesS11 and the switches S12 are turned off. As a result, the wires L5 arecut off from the wires L4, whereby two third electrodes COMLd adjacentto the first electrode COML2 are cut off from the first electrode COML2.Two third electrodes COMLd adjacent to the first electrode COML4 are cutoff from the first electrode COML4. With this coupling configuration,the third electrodes COMLd are supplied with no voltage signal andbrought into a floating state where their electric potential is notfixed.

With the coupling configuration described above, the third electrodesCOMLd are brought into a floating state in CDM drive. Consequently, thepresent embodiment can reduce the gradient of potential differencebetween the first electrodes COML supplied with the drive signal Vcom(+)and the drive signal Vcom(−) having different phases.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , the switches S1 and the switches S2 areturned off in the self-capacitance detection period Pts1. The switchesS7 and the switches S7 a are turned off. The first electrodes COML arecut off from the wire L1, and the third electrodes COMLd are also cutoff from the wire L1. As a result, no display drive signal Vcomdc issupplied to the first electrodes COML and the third electrodes COMLd.

In the detection period Pts1, all the switches S3 are turned off, andall the switches S4 are turned on. As a result, the low level voltageVGL is supplied to the gate lines GCL as the DC voltage signal.Alternatively, all the switches S3 and S4 may be turned off, therebybringing the gate lines GCL into a floating state. All the switches S5are turned off, whereby no pixel signal Vpix is supplied to the signallines SGL.

The switches S6 are turned on, whereby the signal lines SGL are coupledto the respective first electrodes COML via the wires L4. The switchesS6 a are also turned on, whereby the signal lines SGL are coupled to therespective third electrodes COMLd via the wires L5. As a result, thesame signals as those supplied to the first electrodes COML are suppliedto the signal lines SGL as guard signals. In the detection period Pts1,the switches S6 and the switches S6 a may be turned off. In this case,the signal lines SGL are supplied with no voltage signal and broughtinto a floating state where their electric potential is not fixed.

In the detection period Pts1, all the switches S8 and S9 are turned off,whereby the wires L4 coupled to the respective first electrodes COML arecut off from the wire L2 and the wire L3. All the switches S8 a and S9 aare also turned off, whereby the wires L5 coupled to the respectivethird electrodes COMLd are cut off from the wire L2 and the wire L3. Asa result, no drive signal Vcom is supplied to the first electrodes COMLand the third electrodes COMLd.

All the switches S10 are turned on, whereby the first electrodes COMLare coupled to the touch IC 18. The drive signals Vs1 are supplied tothe first electrodes COML via the switches S10. The detection signalsVdetA corresponding to the capacitance changes in the first electrodesCOML are output to the touch IC 18. The drive circuit that supplies thedrive signals Vs1 may be included in the touch IC 18 or provided to thefirst substrate 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , the switches S11 and S12 are turned on,whereby one wire L4 is coupled to two wires L5. As a result, two thirdelectrodes COMLd adjacent to the first electrode COML2 are coupled tothe first electrode COML2. Two third electrodes COMLd adjacent to thefirst electrode COML4 are coupled to the first electrode COML4. Withthis coupling configuration, the first electrode COML2 and the two thirdelectrodes COMLd adjacent to the first electrode COML2 are collectivelydriven as one drive electrode block BKa (refer to FIG. 11 ). The firstelectrode COML4 and the two third electrodes COMLd adjacent to the firstelectrode COML4 are collectively driven as one drive electrode blockBKa. The first electrode COML1 and the first electrode COML3 areprovided with neither the switch S11 nor the switch S12 and are notcoupled to the third electrodes COMLd. In other words, the firstelectrode COML1 and the first electrode COML3 are each driven as onedetection electrode.

With the coupling configuration described above, the first electrodesCOML and the third electrodes COMLd serve as detection electrodes inself-capacitance touch detection.

As described above, the display device 1 according to the presentembodiment includes the first substrate 21, the second substrate 31, theliquid crystal layer 6 (display functional layer), the first electrodesCOML, the pixel electrodes 22, the second electrodes TDL, the firstelectrode driver 14 (drive circuit), and the third electrodes COMLd(conductive body). The second substrate 31 faces the first substrate 21.The liquid crystal layer 6 is provided between the first substrate 21and the second substrate 31 and configured to display an image in thedisplay area Ad. The first electrodes COML are arrayed in the displayarea Ad between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 31. Thepixel electrodes 22 face the first electrodes COML between the firstsubstrate 21 and the second substrate 31. The second electrodes TDL facethe first electrodes COML on the surface of the second substrate 31. Thefirst electrode driver 14 supplies the drive signals to the firstelectrodes COML. The third electrodes COMLd are provided betweenadjacent first electrodes COML when viewed in a direction perpendicularto the first substrate 21 and reduces the gradient of potentialdifference between the first electrodes COML generated when the drivesignals are supplied thereto.

With this configuration, the first electrode driver 14 supplies thedrive signal Vcom(+) and the drive signal Vcom(−) having differentphases to the selected first electrodes COML based on a predeterminedcode, thereby performing CDM drive. Consequently, the display device 1can increase the detection sensitivity. With the third electrodes COMLdserving as a conductive body and brought into a floating state, thedisplay device 1 can reduce the gradient of potential difference betweenthe first electrodes COML adjacent to each other across the thirdelectrode COMLd. As a result, electric fields generated between thefirst electrodes COML are reduced. Consequently, the display device 1can suppress movement of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquidcrystal layer 6, thereby performing high quality display.

While the third electrodes COMLd are brought into a floating state intouch detection by CDM drive, for example, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. The first electrode driver 14 may supply DC voltagesignals having the intermediate potential between the high level voltageV_(H) and the low level voltage V_(L) to the third electrodes COMLd.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the pixel array and the relation between thefirst electrodes and the third electrodes according to a secondembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan viewof the pixel electrodes according to the second embodiment. To make thefigure easy to see, third electrodes COMLad are hatched in FIG. 18 .

As illustrated in FIG. 18 , the sub-pixels SPix are arrayed in the firstdirection Dx and the second direction Dy. A pixel electrode 22A includedin the sub-pixel SPix inclines with respect to the second direction Dy.A pixel electrode 22B inclines to the side opposite to the side to whichthe pixel electrode 22A inclines with respect to the second directionDy. The pixel electrodes 22A are arrayed in the first direction Dx. Thepixel electrodes 22B are also arrayed in the first direction Dx. Thepixel electrode 22A and the pixel electrode 22B are alternately arrayedin the second direction Dy.

As illustrated in FIG. 18 , the signal lines SGL have a zigzag lineshape extending along the pixel electrodes 22A and the pixel electrodes22B arrayed in the second direction Dy. The gate lines GCL have astraight line shape extending in the first direction Dx. The pixelelectrode 22A or the pixel electrode 22B is disposed in an areasurrounded by the signal lines SGL and the gate lines GCL.

First electrodes COMLa and the third electrodes COMLad have a zigzagline shape extending along the pixel electrodes 22A and the pixelelectrodes 22B arrayed in the second direction Dy. In the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 , the third electrode COMLad providedfacing a plurality of pixel electrodes 22A and 22B. The third electrodeCOMLad is provided between a plurality of pixel electrodes 22A and 22B.The width of the third electrode COMLad is substantially equal to thatof one pixel Pix.

The width of the third electrode COMLad according to the presentembodiment is substantially equal to that of one pixel Pix and smallerthan that of the first electrode COMLa. Consequently, the presentembodiment can reduce errors between the detection position of theobject to be detected CQ obtained when CDM drive is performed using thethird electrodes COMLad and that obtained when self-capacitance touchdetection is performed using the third electrodes COMLad and the firstelectrodes COMLa.

As illustrated in FIG. 19 , the signal line SGL is disposed between thefirst electrode COMLa and the third electrode COMLad adjacent to eachother in the first direction Dx. If a potential difference is generatedbetween the adjacent first electrodes COMLa according to the presentembodiment, an electric field generated between the first electrodesCOMLa acts in the direction indicated by the arrow D2. In other words,the direction of the electric field generated between the firstelectrodes COMLa adjacent to each other across the third electrodeCOMLad when the first electrodes COMLa are supplied with the drivesignal Vcom(+) and the drive signal Vcom(−) having different phases isdifferent from the initial orientation direction of the liquid crystallayer 6. If no third electrode COMLad is provided, and a potentialdifference is generated between the adjacent first electrodes COMLa, theorientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer6 may possibly move. As a result, display may possibly deteriorate alongthe first electrodes COMLa, resulting in low display quality.

Also in the aspect according to the present embodiment where the firstelectrodes COMLa and the third electrodes COMLad have a zigzag lineshape extending in the second direction Dy, the third electrodes COMLadare brought into a floating state in CDM drive, thereby reducing thegradient of potential difference between the first electrodes COMLa.Consequently, the present embodiment can increase the detectionsensitivity and perform high quality display.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the pixel array and the relation between thefirst electrodes and the third electrodes according to a firstmodification of the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 20 , thewidth of the third electrode COMLad according to the presentmodification is substantially equal to that of two pixels Pix. Anincrease in the width of the third electrode COMLad can further reducethe gradient of potential difference between the first electrodes COMLaadjacent to each other across the third electrode COMLad. Theconfiguration is not limited thereto, and the width of the thirdelectrode COMLad may be equal to that of three or more pixels Pix ordifferent from an integral multiple of the width of the pixel Pix.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the pixel array and the relation between thefirst electrodes and the third electrodes according to a secondmodification of the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 21 , twothird electrodes (a pair of the third electrodes) COMLad are providedbetween two first electrodes COMLa according to the presentmodification. A plurality of third electrodes COMLad are provided sideby side with a space interposed therebetween. The width of the thirdelectrode COMLad is substantially equal to that of one pixel Pix.

The third electrodes COMLad provided side by side have respectiveelectric potentials to provide a plurality of intermediate potentials.Let us assume a case where one of the first electrodes COMLa is suppliedwith a voltage signal of 10 V as the drive signal Vcom(+), and the otherthereof is supplied with a voltage signal of 0 V as the drive signalVcom(−), for example. In this case, the electric potential of the thirdelectrode COMLad adjacent to the other of the first electrodes COMLa isapproximately 3.3 V. The electric potential of the third electrodeCOMLad adjacent to one of the first electrodes COMLa is approximately6.6 V. As described above, a plurality of third electrodes COMLad canreduce the potential difference between the electrodes.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 22 is a plan view schematically illustrating the relation betweenthe first electrodes, the second electrodes, and the third electrodesaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention. As illustratedin FIG. 22 , in a display device 1A according to the present embodiment,first electrodes COMLb extend in the first direction Dx and are arrayedin the second direction Dy. Third electrodes COMLbd extend in the firstdirection Dx and are arrayed in the second direction Dy. The firstelectrodes COMLb and the third electrodes COMLbd are alternatelydisposed with a space interposed therebetween in the second directionDy.

The second electrodes TDL extend in the second direction Dy and arearrayed in the first direction Dx. In other words, the second electrodesTDL intersect the first electrodes COMLb in planar view. Capacitance isformed at the intersections of the first electrodes COMLb and the secondelectrodes TDL.

The pixel array according to the present embodiment is the same as thatin the example illustrated in FIG. 18 . In the configuration where thefirst electrodes COMLb extend along the gate lines GCL, the firstelectrodes COMLb are arrayed in the second direction Dy. In this case,the direction of an electric field generated between the firstelectrodes COMLb adjacent to each other across the third electrodeCOMLbd is different from the initial orientation direction of the liquidcrystal layer 6 indicated by the arrow D1 (refer to FIG. 19 ). If nothird electrode COMLbd is provided, and a potential difference isgenerated between the first electrodes COMLb facing each other, theorientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer6 may possibly move. As a result, display may possibly deteriorate alongthe first electrodes COMLb, resulting in low display quality.

Also in the present embodiment, the third electrodes COMLbd are providedbetween the first electrodes COMLb. The third electrodes COMLbd arebrought into a floating state in CDM drive, thereby reducing thegradient of potential difference between the first electrodes COMLb.Consequently, the present embodiment can increase the detectionsensitivity and perform high quality display.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 23 is an enlarged plan view of the pixel electrodes according to afourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 is a sectional viewalong line XXIV-XXIV′ in FIG. 23 .

As illustrated in FIG. 23 , the signal line SGL is disposed between thefirst electrodes COMLa provided side by side in the first direction Dxin planar view. A conductive body 60 extends along the signal line SGLbetween the first electrodes COMLa. In other words, the outer sides ofthe conductive body 60 are disposed along the outer sides of the signalline SGL in planar view. While FIG. 23 illustrates the sub-pixels SPixarrayed in the first direction Dx, they are also arrayed in the seconddirection Dy. The conductive body 60 continuously extends along aplurality of sub-pixels SPix arrayed in the second direction Dy.

As illustrated in FIG. 24 , the first electrodes COMLa are provided onthe signal line SGL with the insulating layer 59 interposedtherebetween. The pixel electrodes 22A are provided on the firstelectrodes COMLa with the insulating layer 24 interposed therebetween.The conductive body 60 is provided to the same layer as that of thepixel electrodes 22A. The conductive body 60 is made of the samematerial as that of the pixel electrodes 22A, that is, a translucentconductive material, such as ITO. The material is not limited thereto,and the conductive body 60 may be made of a metal material including atleast one of Al, Cu, Ag, Mo, and an alloy of these metals.

The conductive body 60 is provided overlapping the signal line SGL. Thelight-shielding layer 37 is provided overlapping the signal line SGL andthe conductive body 60. A width W1 of the conductive body 60 accordingto the present embodiment is larger than a width W2 of the signal lineSGL. The width W1 of the conductive body 60 and the width W2 of thesignal line SGL are smaller than a width W6 of the light-shielding layer37. The width W1 of the conductive body 60 is smaller than a space SP1between the first electrodes COMLa adjacent to each other. Thedimensions of the components illustrated in FIG. 24 are given by way ofexample only and may be appropriately modified. The width W1 of theconductive body 60 may be smaller than the width W2 of the signal lineSGL and for example equal to a width W3 of a strip portion 22 a of thepixel electrode 22A. The width W3 of the strip portion 22 a is smallerthan a space SP2 between the strip portions 22 a adjacent to each other.

The width W1 of the conductive body 60, the width W2 of the signal lineSGL, the width W3 of the strip portion 22 a, and the width W6 of thelight-shielding layer 37 are the lengths of the respective members inthe first direction Dx (refer to FIG. 23 ) in planar view. In otherwords, they are the lengths of the respective members in a directionparallel to the gate lines GCL.

When CDM drive is performed on the first electrodes COMLa, theconductive body 60 according to the present embodiment is brought into afloating state. As a result, the conductive body 60 has an intermediatepotential between the drive signal Vcom(+) and the drive signal Vcom(−).Consequently, the present embodiment can reduce the gradient ofpotential difference between the first electrodes COMLa.

Alternatively, the conductive body 60 is supplied with a voltage signalhaving an intermediate potential. Specifically, when one of the firstelectrodes COMLa is supplied with the drive signal Vcom(+), and theother thereof is supplied with the drive signal Vcom(−), the conductivebody 60 is supplied with a DC voltage signal having an electricpotential of (V_(H)+V_(L))/2 corresponding to the intermediate potentialbetween the high level voltage V_(H) and the low level voltage V_(L).Consequently, the present embodiment can reduce the gradient ofpotential difference between the first electrodes COMLa.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 25 is an enlarged plan view of the pixel electrodes according to afifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 26 is a sectional viewalong line XXVI-XXVI′ in FIG. 25 . As illustrated in FIG. 25 , in adisplay device 1C according to the present embodiment, a firstconductive body 61 and a second conductive body 62 are provided betweenthe first electrodes COMLa adjacent to each other. The first conductivebody 61 and the second conductive body 62 are zigzag-shaped wiresextending along the first electrodes COMLa. The first conductive body 61and the second conductive body 62 are disposed side by side in the firstdirection Dx with a space interposed therebetween. The first conductivebody 61 and the second conductive body 62 extend along the signal lineSGL. In other words, the outer side of the first conductive body 61 isdisposed along one side of the signal line SGL in the first direction Dxin planar view. The outer side of the second conductive body 62 isdisposed along the other side of the signal line SGL in planar view.

As illustrated in FIG. 26 , the first conductive body 61 and the secondconductive body 62 are provided to the same layer as that of the pixelelectrodes 22A. The first conductive body 61 and the second conductivebody 62 are provided above the signal line SGL and the first electrodesCOMLa. The first conductive body 61 and the second conductive body 62are made of the same material as that of the pixel electrodes 22A, thatis, a translucent conductive material, such as ITO. The material is notlimited thereto, and the first conductive body 61 and the secondconductive body 62 may be made of a metal material including at leastone of Al, Cu, Ag, Mo, and an alloy of these metals.

Part of the first conductive body 61 according to the present embodimentis disposed overlapping one of the adjacent first electrodes COMLa. Partof the second conductive body 62 is disposed overlapping the other ofthe adjacent first electrodes COMLa. Specifically, a first end 61 a ofthe first conductive body 61 in the width direction is disposedoverlapping the first electrode COMLa. A second end 61 b of the firstconductive body 61 is disposed overlapping the signal line SGL. A firstend 62 a of the second conductive body 62 in the width direction isdisposed overlapping the signal line SGL. A second end 62 b of thesecond conductive body 62 is disposed overlapping the first electrodeCOMLa.

As illustrated in FIG. 26 , a width W4 of the first conductive body 61is equal to a width W5 of the second conductive body 62. The width W4 ofthe first conductive body 61 and the width W5 of the second conductivebody 62 are equal to the width W3 of the strip portion 22 a of the pixelelectrode 22A. The width W4 of the first conductive body 61 may bedifferent from the width W5 of the second conductive body 62. The widthW4 of the first conductive body 61 and the width W5 of the secondconductive body 62 are smaller than the width W2 of the signal line SGL.

A space SP3 between the first conductive body 61 and the secondconductive body 62 is larger than the width W4 of the first conductivebody 61 and larger than the width W5 of the second conductive body 62.The space SP3 between the first conductive body 61 and the secondconductive body 62 is smaller than the space SP1 between the adjacentfirst electrodes COMLa and smaller than the width W2 of the signal lineSGL. The space SP3 between the first conductive body 61 and the secondconductive body 62 is smaller than the space SP2 between the adjacentstrip portions 22 a.

The total length of the width W4 of the first conductive body 61, thespace SP3 between the first conductive body 61 and the second conductivebody 62, and the width W5 of the second conductive body 62 is longerthan the width W6 of the light-shielding layer 37 and longer than thespace SP1 between the adjacent first electrodes COMLa. The dimensions ofthe components illustrated in FIG. 26 are given by way of example onlyand may be appropriately modified. The width W4 of the first conductivebody 61 and the width W5 of the second conductive body 62, for example,may be different from the width W3 of the strip portion 22 a. The totallength of the width W4, the space SP3, and the width W5 may be shorterthan the width W6 of the light-shielding layer 37 or the space SP1between the adjacent first electrodes COMLa.

When CDM drive is performed on the first electrodes COMLa, the firstconductive body 61 and the second conductive body 62 according to thepresent embodiment are supplied with voltage signals having intermediatepotentials between the drive signals Vcom supplied to the adjacent firstelectrodes COMLa. The first conductive body 61 is supplied with avoltage signal having a first intermediate potential. The secondconductive body 62 is supplied with a voltage signal having a secondintermediate potential. The first intermediate potential is differentfrom the second intermediate potential.

By setting the first intermediate potential and the second intermediatepotential to appropriate values, the present embodiment can reduce thepotential difference between the members. In other words, the firstintermediate potential and the second intermediate potential are setsuch that the potential difference between the first electrode COMLa andthe first conductive body 61, the potential difference between the firstconductive body 61 and the second conductive body 62, and the potentialdifference between the second conductive body 62 and the first electrodeCOMLa are close to one another. Consequently, the present embodiment canreduce the gradient of potential difference between the adjacent firstelectrodes COMLa.

Specifically, let us assume a case where one of the first electrodesCOMLa is supplied with 0.0 V as the low level voltage V_(L), and theother thereof is supplied with 3.5 V as the high level voltage V_(H),for example. In this case, the first conductive body 61 overlapping oneof the first electrodes COMLa is supplied with a voltage signal of 1.0V, for example. The second conductive body 62 overlapping the other ofthe first electrodes COMLa is supplied with a voltage signal of 2.5 V,for example. The first intermediate potential is 1.0 V, and the secondintermediate potential is 2.5 V. With this setting, the potentialdifference between one of the first electrodes COMLa and the firstconductive body 61 is substantially equal to that between the other ofthe first electrodes COMLa and the second conductive body 62. Asdescribed above, the display device 1C according to the presentembodiment includes the first conductive body 61 and the secondconductive body 62. With this configuration, the present embodiment canincrease the detection sensitivity by CDM drive and perform high qualitydisplay.

In CDM drive, the first conductive body 61 and the second conductivebody 62 may be brought into a floating state. In this case, the firstconductive body 61 is driven at the same electric potential as that ofone of the first electrode COMLa, and the second conductive body 62 isdriven at the same electric potential as that of the other of the firstelectrode COMLa. In other words, the potential difference between thefirst conductive body 61 and the second conductive body 62 increases.Also in this case, the space between the first conductive body 61 andthe second conductive body 62 is positioned under the light-shieldinglayer 37. Consequently, the present embodiment can suppress lightleakage and perform high quality display.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 27 is an enlarged plan view of the pixel electrodes according to asixth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 28 is a sectional viewalong line XXVIII-XXVIII′ in FIG. 27 . As illustrated in FIG. 27 , in adisplay device 1D according to the present embodiment, a thirdconductive body 63 and a fourth conductive body 64 are provided betweenthe first electrodes COMLa adjacent to each other. The third conductivebody 63 and the fourth conductive body 64 are zigzag-shaped wiresextending along the first electrodes COMLa. The first conductive body 61and the second conductive body 62 extend along the signal line SGL.

As illustrated in FIG. 28 , the third conductive body 63 and the fourthconductive body 64 are provided to different layers. The thirdconductive body 63 is provided to the same layer as that of the pixelelectrodes 22A. The fourth conductive body 64 is provided to the samelayer as that of the first electrodes COMLa. In other words, the fourthconductive body 64 is provided above the signal line SGL. The thirdconductive body 63 is provided above the first electrodes COMLa and thefourth conductive body 64.

The third conductive body 63 is made of the same material as that of thepixel electrodes 22A, that is, a translucent conductive material, suchas ITO. The fourth conductive body 64 is made of a metal materialincluding at least one of Al, Cu, Ag, Mo, and an alloy of these metals.

The fourth conductive body 64 is in contact with an end of the firstelectrode COMLa, thereby being electrically coupled thereto. An end 64 aof the fourth conductive body 64 in the width direction is provided at aposition overlapping the signal line SGL. The end 64 a of the fourthconductive body 64 is opposite to the end in contact with the firstelectrode COMLa. The fourth conductive body 64 may be disposedoverlapping part of the first electrode COMLa. The use of the metalmaterial described above for the fourth conductive body 64 can reducethe resistance of the first electrodes COMLa, thereby improving theresponsiveness in touch detection.

A first end 63 a of the third conductive body 63 in the width directionis disposed overlapping the first electrode COMLa. A second end 63 b ofthe third conductive body 63 is disposed overlapping the fourthconductive body 64. A width W7 of the third conductive body 63 is largerthan a space SP4 between the first electrode COMLa and the fourthconductive body 64. The area in which the third conductive body 63overlaps the fourth conductive body 64 according to the presentembodiment, that is, the area between the end 63 b of the thirdconductive body 63 and the end 64 a of the fourth conductive body 64 ispositioned under the light-shielding layer 37.

When CDM drive is performed on the first electrodes COMLa, the thirdconductive body 63 according to the present embodiment is supplied witha voltage signal having an intermediate potential between the drivesignals Vcom supplied to the adjacent first electrodes COMLa. Let usassume a case where one of the first electrodes COMLa is supplied with0.0 V as the low level voltage V_(L), and the other thereof is suppliedwith 3.5 V as the high level voltage V_(H), for example. In this case,the third conductive body 63 is supplied with a voltage signal of 1.0 V,for example. By contrast, the fourth conductive body 64 is in contactwith the first electrode COMLa. As a result, the fourth conductive body64 is driven at the same electric potential as that of the drive signalVcom supplied to the first electrode COMLa.

The third conductive body 63 according to the present embodiment issupplied with a voltage signal having an intermediate potential.Consequently, the present embodiment can reduce the gradient ofpotential difference between the adjacent first electrodes COMLa. Thefourth conductive body 64 is coupled to the first electrode COMLa andprovided under the light-shielding layer 37. With this configuration, ifthe potential difference between the third conductive body 63 and thefourth conductive body 64 increases, the present embodiment can suppresslight leakage and perform high quality display.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the display device according to a seventhembodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 29 , adisplay device 1E according to the present embodiment includes the thirdelectrodes COMLad and the conductive bodies 60. The third electrodeCOMLad has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment. Theconductive bodies 60 have the same configuration as that of the fourthembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 29 , the third electrode COMLad is providedbetween two first electrodes COMLa in the same layer as that of thefirst electrodes COMLa. The signal line SGL is disposed between thefirst electrode COMLa and the third electrode COMLad. The thirdelectrode COMLad according to the present embodiment has a width of onepixel Pix including three sub-pixels SPix. In other words, the thirdelectrode COMLad is provided under the three color areas 32R, 32G, and32B of the color filter 32.

The conductive body 60 is provided between the first electrode COMLa andthe third electrode COMLad adjacent to each other. The conductive body60 according to the present embodiment is provided between the thirdelectrode COMLad and the first electrode COMLa adjacent to one side ofthe third electrode COMLad. The conductive body 60 is also providedbetween the third electrode COMLad and the first electrode COMLaadjacent to the other side of the third electrode COMLad. In otherwords, two conductive bodies 60 are provided between the firstelectrodes COMLa adjacent to each other across the third electrodeCOMLad.

The conductive bodies 60 are provided to the same layer as that of thepixel electrodes 22A. In other words, the conductive bodies 60 areprovided above the first electrodes COMLa and the third electrodeCOMLad. The conductive bodies 60 are disposed overlapping the respectivesignal lines SGL.

The third electrodes COMLad and the conductive bodies 60 are driven inthe same manner as that in the example described above in touchdetection by CDM drive. In touch detection by CDM drive, the thirdelectrodes COMLad are brought into a floating state. The conductivebodies 60 are supplied with a voltage signal having an intermediatepotential. Two conductive bodies 60 according to the present embodimentare provided between the first electrodes COMLa adjacent to each otheracross the third electrode COMLad. The two conductive bodies 60 may besupplied with voltage signals having different intermediate potentials.

The third electrodes COMLad and the conductive bodies 60 according tothe present embodiment serve as a conductive body that reduces thegradient of potential difference between the first electrodes COMLa. Asa result, electric fields generated between the first electrodes COMLaare reduced. Consequently, the display device 1E can suppress movementof the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 6, therebyperforming high quality display.

The configuration is not limited to that in the example illustrated inFIG. 29 . Besides the third electrode COMLad provided between the firstelectrodes COMLa, the display device 1E may include the first conductivebody 61 and the second conductive body 62 according to the fifthembodiment or the third conductive body 63 and the fourth conductivebody 64 according to the sixth embodiment between the third electrodeCOMLad and the first electrodes COMLa, for example.

While exemplary embodiments according to the present invention have beendescribed, the embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. Thecontents disclosed in the embodiments are given by way of example only,and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Appropriate changes made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention naturally fall within the scope of the invention. At leastone of various omissions, substitutions, and changes of the componentsmay be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiments aboveand the modifications thereof.

The shapes of the first electrodes COML, the second electrodes TDL, thethird electrodes COMLd, and other components according to theembodiments are given by way of example only and may be appropriatelymodified. The configuration of the pixel electrodes 22A and 22B and thearray of the pixels Pix are not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 18and 19 and other figures. The pixel electrodes 22A and 22B may haveanother shape, and the pixels Pix are disposed in another pixel array.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a first substrate; asecond substrate facing the first substrate; a display functional layerprovided between the first substrate and the second substrate; aplurality of first electrodes provided between the first substrate andthe second substrate; a plurality of conductive bodies disposed in sucha manner that a conductive body and a first electrode are disposedalternately in a direction the first electrodes are arranged, a width ofthe respective conductive bodies being smaller than a width of therespective first electrodes; a plurality of pixel electrodes facing thefirst electrodes between the first substrate and the second substrate; adrive circuit configured to supply: drive signals to the firstelectrodes in detection periods; and supply a common signal to both ofthe first electrodes and the conductive bodies in display periods, andwherein in one of the detection periods, the drive circuit supplies afirst potential to one of the first electrodes and a second potentialdifferent from the first electric potential to the other of the firstelectrodes simultaneously, the conductive bodies being in a floatingstate, and in the display periods, the drive circuit supplies the commonsignal to the first electrodes and the conductive bodies simultaneously.2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising:switching elements provided corresponding to the respective pixelelectrodes; and a signal line coupled to the switching elements, whereinone of the conductive bodies overlaps the signal line in plan view. 3.The display device according to claim 2, further comprising a lightshielding line overlapping the signal line and the one of the conductivebodies, wherein a width of the signal line is less than the width of theone of the conductive bodies.
 4. The display device according to claim2, wherein the one of the conductive bodies includes a first conductivebody and a second conductive body adjacent to the first conductive bodywith a gap interposed therebetween, and the gap is smaller than a spacebetween the first conductive body and the first electrodes provided sideby side in plan view.
 5. The display device according to claim 4,wherein the signal line has a first side and a second side along alongitudinal direction of the signal line, the first conductive body isdisposed overlapping a first end of the signal line, and the secondconductive body is disposed overlapping a second end of the signal line.6. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising a lightshielding line overlapping the signal line and the one of the conductivebodies, wherein a width of the signal line is greater than a width ofeach of the first conductive body and the second conductive body, andone edge of the light shielding line overlaps the first conductive bodyand the other edge of the light shielding line overlaps the secondconductive body.
 7. The display device according to claim 2, furthercomprises a conductive portion that is in contact with one of the firstelectrodes, the signal line has a first side and a second side along alongitudinal direction of the signal line, the one of the conductivebodies overlaps the first side of the signal line, and the conductiveportion overlaps the second side of the signal line.
 8. The displaydevice according to claim 7, further comprising a light shielding lineoverlapping the signal line, the one of the conductive bodies, and theconductive portion.
 9. The display device according to claim 1, whereinone of the conductive bodies includes: a first conductive body providedto the same layer as a layer of the pixel electrodes; and a secondconductive body provided to the same layer as a layer of the firstelectrodes.
 10. The display device according to claim 9, furthercomprising a light shielding line overlapping the signal line, the firstconductive body, and the second conductive body.
 11. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the conductive bodies are disposed in alayer of the first electrodes, and the pixel electrodes face one of theconductive bodies.
 12. The display device according to claim 11, furthercomprising: switching elements provided corresponding to the respectivepixel electrodes; and a signal line coupled to the switching elements,wherein one of the conductive bodies overlaps a plurality of the signallines in plan view.
 13. The display device according to claim 11,wherein one of the conductive bodies includes a first conductive bodyand a second conductive body adjacent to the first conductive body witha gap interposed therebetween.
 14. The display device according to claim11, further comprising a plurality of signal lines; and a plurality oflight shielding lines overlapping the signal lines, wherein theconductive bodies are disposed between the light shielding lines and thesignal lines in a vertical direction perpendicular to the firstsubstrate.
 15. The display device according to claim 14, furthercomprising a plurality of color filters provided between the lightshielding lines in plan view and overlapping the conductive body in thevertical direction.
 16. The display device according to claim 11,further comprising a signal line disposed between one of the firstelectrodes and one of the conductive bodies in plan view.